12.22.2005

In the Christmas spirit

KILLEEN, Texas -- A real-estate developer carrying a sign that read "grateful citizen" passed out $5,000 in $20 bills Wednesday to members of the military and their families.

"I just want to say thank you for your service," Jim Johnson, of Dallas, told the recipients as he shook their hands in a Wal-Mart store in Killeen. "We're safe and secure because of you."

Johnson said in a story in Thursday's Killeen Daily Herald (which I used to write for when I met Army of Dad) that he and his son Matt drove from Dallas with the hope of meeting as many soldiers as possible. He said Killeen, which is home to Fort Hood (where AoD was stationed when we met), seemed like an obvious choice for finding soldiers and their families.

Killeen is about 130 miles southwest of Dallas.

Johnson held a sign that read, "Grateful citizen. You make my life possible." (Amen to that for all of us!)

Store owners gave him permission to come inside to hand out the money after he had to vacate his post on a corner near the shopping center. He handed out the money in about three hours.

At one point, he shook the hand of a timid military wife, reached into his pocket and found he was out of money, the newspaper reported. His son gave his father the last $20 bill.

Johnson said he was just trying to show some gratitude.

"We all have ways to give back to these families that don't complain and serve," Johnson said. "It's a tough life, and I'm so grateful for what they do."

He promised to come back next year and bring some friends along.

What a great story. I spent many a day in that Wal-Mart. I remember putting Tickle Me Elmo in layaway there for Pickle's second, a few month before I met Army of Dad. Many soldiers and their families have to subsist off of goverment aid because they are paid so little to serve 24/7, 365 days a year, so this was a great treat for them at Christmas. Thank you, Jim Johnson.